one sunny afternoon this past june i found myself strolling with a friend on the elevated park, the high line, in manhattan.
a southern section of the park, around 23rd street, has a water feature that invites passersby to cool their feet. a trickling flow of waters steadily runs across a 50 foot length of paved area, disappearing between skinny gaps between the paving.
walking through this urban brook, is the most wonderfully refreshing feeling on a hot summer afternoon. on this particular day there was a young girl, equally thrilled by her discovery. My friend and i sat on a bench, with bare feet placed in the water, watching this girl skip back and forth in the water. she giggled and was beaming with the same joy I remember from playing in a sprinkler when I was a child.
the girl's joy was so genuinely charming, people paused to watch her play, and continued on with a smile on their faces. it is amazing how something so simple can be so wonderful.
the first day of spring has just passed, and the Highline is still in hibernation. if you look closely there are hints of life, and much to enjoy.
witch hazel is one of the early bloomers in the north east. these tiny blooms of orange and yellow pop out in late februaury to march, and give hope of what is just around the corner.
close-up of the witch hazel flower
in parks of manhattan we are beginning to see more views like this; grasses in the winter. traditionally considered unkempt when allowed to display it's wild and floppy characteristic, the grass in this view is stunning. reminiscent of a roadside field, tossed around by the wind.